Bedside vigil for Doncaster teen after suspected ‘hit and run’

A Doncaster teenager was fighting for her life last night after being injured in a suspected hit-and-run.

Eighteen-year-old Danielle Stoton was left critically injured and put on a life support machine after an incident involving a car in Hatfield Lane, Armthorpe, in the early hours of Sunday. Police have arrested two women, aged 23 and 26, in connection with the incident and both have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Danielle’s distraught parents are keeping a bedside vigil in the neuro-critical intensive care unit at Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital, where their daughter has been receiving treatment for head injuries.

Mum Michelle, 41, said she and husband Paul, 46, have been ‘kept going’ by the incredible support shown by the people of Armthorpe and friends further afield.

She said she and Paul spent all Sunday night reading tributes on social media site Facebook to each other.

“We had tears rolling down our faces but sometimes they were tears of happiness at the positive messages sent by people and the love for Danielle,” she said.

“We would so love to hear good news about Danielle from the doctors. We have been given the worst case scenario but we’re not thinking of that.

“We can’t thank everyone at the hospital enough. They are simply wonderful and Danielle is monitored every single minute. This 24 hours is so important.”

Danielle, of Harris Road, Armthorpe, was walking home from a party when tragedy struck on Sunday.

The bubbly teen has recently lost six stone in weight and was really enjoying life, said her mum.

She was working at Greggs in Frenchgate after finishing a tourism course at Doncaster College and hoped to do a course in sport science from September in a bid to become a personal trainer in the RAF.

Her sister Yasmin has come home from Turkey, where she works for an international holiday company, and family and friends are supporting each other as they wait for developments.

They know Danielle has suffered some brain damage but it is not known how severe it is until she wakes from her coma.

Good will messages were posted on Facebook to the family.

Claire Louise Griffin said: “She will come through it – she is a tough cookie and has an amazing family and friends. Thinking about you so much Dani.”

Kirsty Turner said: “Keep fighting princess. Been thinking about you all night. Lots of hugs and prayers are with you.”

Zoe Godfrey wrote: “Thinking of you all Michelle. We love her loads and want her to fight the way only Danni can. Big hug to you all.”

And Sophie Bouse said: “What makes Danielle beautiful is her bubbly personality and her confidence and no-one can take that away from her. Come on Danielle we think you have had enough sleep.”

One well-wisher said: “Danni is from Armthorpe and the girls here are all fighters...you can pull through Danni, all Armthorpe is behind you.”